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Newly Assessed - Any advice?

martintheactor

I've lurked here for a while. And yesterday after over two years waiting for an assessment I had it. The psychiatrist has said I am Level 2 Autistic. I'll be honest it's something it's always something I've either been told, or considered. It was only after massive burnout that I finally thought maybe some of the experiences I have had could do with context. Was I struggling because autistic, or because I'm just odd...or both!

It'll be somewhere around 4-8 weeks from what I've read on Psychaitry UK's website to get the paperwork and such, but I bluntly asked the assessor yesterday when I can consider it a formal diagnosis. He told me then and there. 

Twenty-three hours after the assessment now and I kinda don't know how to process it all. So I guess I'm asking what advice people might have?

For context I'm late 30s, have struggled with burnout on and off, but did manage to get my BA, Masters and even a teaching qualification. I've mostly been self employed, but the latest burnout has me now unemployed. I've for the first time been trying to take that break and I guess work through health issues construstively.

Thanks in advance folks.

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  • Welcome Sunflower

    martintheactor said:
    The psychiatrist has said I am Level 2 Autistic.

    Is this your diagnosis?

    I found it curious as it's my undestanding that 'autism spectrum disorder' is what the diagnosis is now and that levels are no longer in use.

    I think that the levels are still used in some other countries though.

    Thinking

  • in reply to Deleted User

    My pre-assessment understanding was that yes, the UK and NHS should be using the ICD which doesn't use levels, but what I've seen from GPs and indeed this psychaitrist is the 'levels' from the DSM. Levels were only mentioned however after my mother (who was in on the video call, and has an archaic understanding of ASD, asked about high vs low functioning). So it might be possible that he was trying to explain where he felt I sit on the spectrum to my mother? I think it was an attempt at explaining the differences in levels of support potentially needed by each type?

    I don't know for sure, and don't yet have the paperwork. I'm just working with what I've got. For me, just knowing that yes I am not just showing traits, but very definitely meet the criteria for Autism is what I was hoping for.

  • in reply to martintheactor

    Thank you for the explanation.

    martintheactor said:
    For me, just knowing that yes I am not just showing traits, but very definitely meet the criteria for Autism is what I was hoping for.

    Yes, I remember that feeling well Blush

    It can make sense of a whole life.

    I was diagnosed at 60, 2+ years ago.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Yes indeed, and thank you for doing what I should have - explaining the acronyms. 

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